According to new reports, Ubisoft's oft-maligned DRM is so zealous in its protection of software that it cannot tell the difference between a new computer and a new graphics card. Yep, if you switch out some of your computer's hardware, the DRM will supposedly think you're trying to install Ubisoft games on a new machine.

The issue was discovered by Guru3D when performing benchmarking tests with Anno 2070. The game had been installed on three computers (the activation limit allowed by Ubi's DRM) but when they replaced the nVida GTX 580 with a GTX 590, the game stopped working. It demanded re-activation, which was promptly refused due to install limits. 

In order to perform its usual tests, Guru3D would have needed to buy Anno 2070 seven times. It emailed Ubisoft to ask for an activation reset (which Ubi claims it can do), but has heard nothing back. Understandably, the outlet is pretty sure it won't be reviewing Ubisoft titles anymore. 

Ubisoft's DRM didn't need anymore bad press, let alone press this ridiculous. This is just another reason to cease considering Ubisoft's PC ports as real games. As soon as we all agree that Ubisoft isn't a PC publisher, and ignore its rubbish ports, we can all move on happier.

Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)

horseflesh

I'm glad you said it. When I said it I get dismissed. You lend it some weight somehow.

Epic-Kx

tuoman

Ha, horseflesh with the puns.

Alan Argentina

Ubisoft? More like Poobisoft, am I right?

ScreamingFalcon

Funny thing is, even though Guru3D still has never heard back from Ubisoft about the resets, after a week he emailed the developers directly and got things cleared up in less than 24 hours. That is, if you read the ENTIRE article, you'll find that.

TechnicolorDewDrop

So we are to believe this despite no one else reporting this problem?

Gorescream

@OneRed

trollbisoft

Jinx 01

@Screaming:
I'm sure that will work for everyone... not.

This is just another reason to cease considering Ubisoft's PC ports as real games. As soon as we all agree that Ubisoft isn't a PC publisher, and ignore its rubbish ports, we can all move on happier.

Uh, Jim, Anno 2070 is a PC exclusive, not a port, so that's kind of a weird thing to say here lol. But yeah, Ubisoft sucks.

RotFX

@ ScreamingFalcon

Your right, the developers are really amazing guys... however the publishers that are supposed to deal with the bullshit DRM that is forced onto these games (let's face it there is better DRM out there) are shitting the bed. Nobody was attacking the developers of this game so I'm not sure what your point is.

Is Ubisoft let off the hook because the developer of the game still have human hearts and those feelings that Ubisoft has cast of long ago? No! They can go rot in a ditch for what they do to these otherwise good games.

Scuffles

And bullshit like this is why seeing Ubisoft on a game is now one of my instant deal breakers.

pavement1a

that picture makes me laugh so hard that i am having a hard time being angry about this.

RaginDude

And I bet some poor bastards will buy Ghost Recon on PC anyway...

GameExchangeShop

I understand protecting your software from piracy, but this is taking it a little too far.

Come up with a better system UbiSoft

http://www.gameexchangeshop.com

Iron Dragon

I was actually interested in Anno 2070. So does this mean I have to pirate it to get something I can install and use as I please? The pirated copy is now officially BETTER than something you pay $60. Good job Ubisoft, great way to create good will and value.

I guess it's why I haven't purchased one of their PC titles since 2008 (Prince of Persia, and it was DRM free... I made sure to buy a copy). I wish I could say I haven't purchased any titles from them period, but well... I wasn't skipping Child of Eden. :/

qlum

Ubisoft is generally known for its evil drm so this doesn't surprise me.

qlum

which is why I haven't bought a ubisoft game in years

TheNephilym

@ScreamingFalcon

Your point? Bluebyte was nice enough to take care of the issue for them, but that has no bearing on the fact that this problem shouldn't exist in the first place and that Ubisoft is to blame. Also, Bluebyte helped them by unlocking their key for unlimited installations. They won't be doing that for you or I, so that's not the solution we're looking for.

Evergreen

I honestly cannot remember the last time I bought an Ubisoft, EA, or Activision game. I'm not even standing up for anything, it's just that their games don't appeal to me enough. And when they do appeal to me, I read the fine print in Steam that tells me I have to sign up for something else and I decide to pass.

Whatever... it's not like I don't already have too many games to play...

Cudgeon

With PIPA that wouldn't happen!

Asmith906

1. Ubisoft makes crap DRM
2. Customers Refuse to buy it
3. Ubisoft blames it on piracy decides the only way to fix it is to add more DRM

Hugh G Rection

Ubisoft - U B Stoopid.

Scuffles

@TheNephilym

agreed just because the developers aren't total asshats doesn't mean that their publisher isn't poison.

mix

Needs more DRM

psycho terror2

ubi-who?

ElektroDragon

Poobisoft sounds like a laxative brand. Think about it.

LSD89

@Epic-Kx
Freddie is dissapointed

horseflesh

@Jinx, I disagree with you. Even with the "PC exclusive" it's not just which CPU and operating environment it runs in. We all know this. How well conceived is it for the platform, how well do the controls work with the Mouse/Keyboard as default input...Ultimately how considerate is it of the platform. Limited activations per PC is a poor method for the PC. Even if it could be circumvented by actively dealing with the developers. This is an extra step, and shows that they're ability to be considerate of the PC platform is limited.

Yeah it will run on PC and is a PC exclusive, but it's their attitude that matters almost more than those things. And I would say, does matter more.

TheNephilym

It appears they've finally received a response from Ubisoft: Sorry to disappoint you – the game is indeed restricted to 3 hardware changes and there simply is no way to bypass that. We also do not have 7 copies of the game for you. I was expecting something shitty, but what the fuck? There's still a copy of Anno 2070 on the Pirate Bay. They haven't stopped that. So what is this shit doing besides hindering the experiences of paying customers? Fuck those shitty bastards.

Also, everyone extend a warm welcome to Cudgeon, our new resident SOPA/PIPA troll. Fun times for all.

Gwendolyn

Dear Ubisoft:

Pissing off your existing costumers with crappy DRM and other annoying "anti-piracy" BS tactics will only drive them away. Either trust in your product's quality or stay out of the business.

tekbunny

@theneph

Cudgeon has been a resident troll here fir a while. I don't think I've seen a single non troll post from him yet.

Also, fuck ubisoft.

pedrovay2003

So, not only does DRM NOT stop piracy, but it actually tells people what hardware they have, regardless of what they ACTUALLY have. Fantastic.

You know, when I got my laptop recently, I made sure it could play all the current games. I'm starting to regret it.

imDraxx

I've always wanted to play Anno 2070. The Anno series caught my attention, and having that sci-fi theme made me want to buy that much more. However, my excitement to play a game that's only on the PC came falling down in flames when I saw Ubisofts logo, which is a no go for me.

I wonder if Ubisoft will understand they're only pissing off people with restrictive DRM that only pushes consumers away.

killias2

-_-

Spaz

SO now Ubisoft is trying to limit the number of hardware changes we can make? Holy shit fuck that lol. Ubisoft creating its own pirates since 2009.

Jared Ari

Isn't Anno 2070 on Steam? Isn't THAT enough enough security?

Fuck it, I'm not buying any of your shitty games, Ubisoft. This DRM basically means that I wouldn't be able to play my legally purchased game after a couple of generations of hardware upgrades, which are inevitable because components break and sometimes you simply need to buy a new computer entirely.

I think, if I ever choose to play this game, that I'll go with the torrented, DRM-free option. I hear it's cheaper, too.

I don't pirate games, and I usually try to support developers by buying new instead of used, but this is bullshit.

Wedge

That's what I did years ago.

Maniac

@ScreamingFalcon

The average gamer does not have a direct e-mail contact with video game developers for troubleshooting purposes.

And honestly, this is OLD news. Tech geeks warned about this type of DRM back when Microsoft instituted it with Windows XP.

BoomingEchoes

No surprise here, this seems like Ubisofts monthly addition to the "We hate the industry" campaign they've been on for years.

PrinceHeir

lol ubisoft

jonz01

I'm planning on making better use of my gaming time and maybe trying to get through that infernal backlog. With not many games on my purchasing horizon, and so many good ones on the shelf...It's time to get organized! Loose Emeralds Loose Emeralds

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